Model Rail

Model Rail magazine is the UK's biggest-selling magazine dedicated to railway modelling. Every issue is packed with the country’s finest home and club layouts, stunning photography, unbiased and in-depth product reviews, expert tips, layout plans and step-by-step articles that really show you how. In our unique ‘Workbench’ section, we tackle a wide range of modeling skills and projects. Our expert writers and model-makers will help you to get the most from your hobby and build the layout of your dreams. Model Rail is published 13 times a year, every four weeks.

Welcome

Opening the box • The latest happenings from the world of model railways

BACHMANN BUILDS A NEW ‘SHED’

WARTIME HEROES

‘DELTIC’ AND CLASS 122 IN ‘TT’

HORNBY EXPANDS ‘TT’ RANGE

In Brief

MORE ‘31S’ INCOMING

‘CRYSTAL PALACE’ BRAKE VAN

RETURN OF THE TIPPLER

Model Rail Offers

NRM CLASS 02 ARRIVES

STONE HOPPERS GALORE!

In Brief

WIN! AUTHENTIC BR PAINT SETS

‘COUNTY’ COMEBACK

PECO LAUNCHES RAIL200 CHALLENGE

In Brief

STAY GROUNDED

Modeller's Bookshelf

ON THE WORKBENCH • What new items have appeared in George's workshop this month?

EXHIBITION DIARY - MAY 10-JUNE 1 2025

Unusual scenes captured by the lens of Chris Nevard

News Real • Our full-size railways are constantly evolving, providing fresh inspiration for modelling projects. BEN JONES looks at a few of the latest developments that could soon be appearing on our layouts.

Staff Show & Tell A welcome nudge • One of George Dent‘s winter modelling projects stalled at an early stage, but after a chance discovery, he's eager to get started again.

Latest updates from the Lowery and Marriott workshops

Rustling up a Ruston

Inside track with Ben Ando

Cause and effect • Altering one decision can drastically change the outcome of one's life. Russ Pigott has filled his room with a hypothetical scenario based on one change from 300 years ago.

3 things we like

Paddle steamers • When Dugald Drummond set his course towards perfecting a 4-6-0 design, he didn't quite make it. Richard Foster recounts the history of his striking, yet flawed ‘T14’.

HOW TO BUILD A DRUMMOND ‘T14’ IN ‘OO’ • Using modern technology – and a dose of good old ingenuity – ALEX ROCKEY adapts a chassis from a Hornby model of LNER ‘A1’ Tornado to create a replica of Drummond's striking ‘Paddlebox’ 4-6-0.

Workbench • Inspirational projects, advice and top tips that show you how

HOW TO BUILD A VICTORIAN BOILER HOUSE • Chris Nevard offers a happy medium between scratchbuilding and buying off-the-shelf.

HOW TO MODEL A SHINGLE BEACH • With the weather getting a bit warmer, Peter Marriott turns his attention to summer and describes how to make a beach with a difference.

HOW TO CREATE A REALIST IC EMBANKMENT • Peter Marriott employs some useful modelling aids to produce convincing scenic contours and lifelike vegetation, offering some vital hints and tips along the way.

BE A STATIC KING

SHOW & TELL • Sharing your projects with the Model Rail community.

Tackling Tetbury's terminus • Following a return to ‘P4’ gauge, Brian Lewis set about creating an inch-by-inch replica of a station which suffered at the hands of Beeching's axe.

3 things we like

Heljan BR Class 02

3things we like

Factfile: BR/Yorkshire Engine Co. Class 02

Dapol Hunslet ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST

3 things we like

Factfile: Hunslet ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST

Hornby Class 755 ‘FLIRT’ • ◆ GAUGE ‘OO’ ◆ MODEL Hornby • R3963 Class 755/3 three-car ‘FLIRT’ unit • R3964 Class 755/4 four-car ‘FLIRT’ unit ◆ PRICE...